History of Acton Timeline

1825: Settled by Rev. Ezra, Rev. Zena, and Rufus Adams. The two brothers retired from saddlebag Methodists preaching to farm life and rebuilt their strength.

Photo of the Rev. Zena Adams — C. 1850 Photo Credit: Dills Collection

1828: Settlement established and named ‘Danville’ after a store clerk named ‘Dan’ who worked at Wheeler Green’s dry goods store.

1828: Settlement established and named ‘Danville’ after a store clerk named ‘Dan’ who worked at Wheeler Green’s dry goods store.
The York to Guelph road, an early predecessor to Highway 7, opened up for use.

1835: Danville’s first general store opened up, bearing the name “Danville Grocery”.
Rev. Ezra builds a grist and flour mill. This is the current site of the mill that still stands on Mill Street west. The ‘Mill Pond’ was created from diverting Black Creek; this later became known as ‘Fairy Lake’.

An early look of Acton. This photo, taken by an Owen Sound photographer, shows the early Mill — C. 1850’s Photo Credit: Dills Collection

1836: The settlement received the name ‘Adamsville’, named after the first settlers.

1842: Tanning Industry comes to Adamsville, started by Abraham Nelles.

1844: The first post office was established at the Adams Block; located on the corner of Knox and Main Streets.
Robert Swan, the first post master, changed the name of Adamsville to ‘Acton’; named after his birthplace in England.

1856: Grand Trunk Railway comes through Acton. This helped boost the economy and gave easier access for trade and travel.

1872: Acton Citizens Band forms.
Mill Pond named ‘Fairy Lake’ by local merchant Mrs. Augusta Secord.
St. Albans Anglican Church built.
Matthews Hall is built at the Southeast corner of Mill & Willow. This served as a place for municipal meetings.

1913: Matthews Hall is moved to Willow Street South to make way for the grand Post Office (located at the south-east corner of Mill & Willow Streets).
Acton Agricultural Society formed and first annual Acton Fall Fair held.

In this photo of Mill Street looking west, you can see the old post office at the southeast corner of Mill & Willow Streets — C. 1960’s Photo Credit: Dills Collection

1914: The ‘Great War’ (World War 1) starts; many Acton men enlisted. 22 locals died while in service.

1924: The village of Acton celebrates 50 years since incorporation. In honor of the celebration, stone gates and band shell were built at the entrance of Prospect Park.

The old bandstand and stone gates at the entrance of Prospect Park — 1935 Photo Credit: Dills Collection

1927: With the onset of the popularity of automobiles Highway 7 officially comes through Acton. This route was formed from the original York to Guelph Road; conditions were greatly improved.
H.P. Moore retired from the newspaper business; G.A. Dills becomes owner and editor of the Acton Free Press.

1929: Arena built in Prospect Park; Grand opening on Christmas day. This was Acton’s first “artificial ice”.

The old Arena in Prospect Park prior to being torn down — 1997 Photo Credit: Bruce Andrews

1931: Toronto Suburban Railway ceased operations in August.

1935: Murray Memorial Building was built. This became home to the YMCA and the Public Library.

The Murray Memorial Building. This was the home to the Acton Library and YMCA — 1935 Photo Credit: Dills Collection

1939: World War 2 starts; many Acton men enlisted for battle with women enlisted to help aid the effort. 21 locals died while serving.

1944: Beardmore Tannery celebrates 100 years of operation.
In December Beardmore was sold to Canada Packers; tannery remained under Beardmore name.

1954: Acton High School is built on Acton Blvd. E.A. Hansen is Principal.

1956: Bethel Christian Reformed Church built on Queen Street East.

1957: M.Z. Bennett Public School is built on Acton Blvd., north of Acton High School. Miss Bennett was on hand for the opening ceremony. Elmer Smith is Principal.
Acton Public School renamed Robert Little School in honor of the late educator Robert Little.

Construction of the new United Church, with the old Methodist Church beside — 1960 Photo Credit: Dills Collection

1961: New united church opened; old church demolished.

1962: Acton Curling Club formed.
Storey Glove Factory demolished.
New Post Office opened on Bower Avenue; on former site of Storey Factory.

The new Acton Post Office, on site of the former Storey Factory, on Bower Avenue — 1964 Photo Credit: Dills Collection

1965: Acton Citizens Band Music Centre opened on Wallace Street.

Charles Mason, Ted Tyler, and George Elliott with ‘sold’ sign of the future site of the Music Centre, located on Wallace Street — 1965 Photo Credit: Dills Collection

1966: David Dills and his wife, Kay, take over operations of Acton Free Press from his father G.A. Dills.

1967: Canada celebrates Centennial of Confederation.
New library opened on River Street in honor of Canada’s centennial.

The opening ceremony of the new Acton Public Library — June 3rd, 1967 Photo Credit: Dills Collection

1969: Acton Curling Club Facilities opened on Churchill Road North.

1971: Old post office at corner of Mill & Willow Streets demolished.

1974: Acton celebrates 100 years of incorporation.
Town of Acton amalgamated with the Town of Georgetown and Esquesing Township to form Halton Hills. Les Duby was Acton’s last mayor.
Old Grand Trunk / Canadian National Railway train station razed.
Acton’s third Legion Branch 197 opened in September on Wright Avenue.
Lions Club Community Pool opened at Acton High School on Acton Blvd. in honor of Acton’s centennial.

1977: New Acton High School opens on Cedar Road. Dean Fink is Principal with Lyn McLaren as vice-principal.
Former high school on Acton Blvd. becomes McKenzie-Smith Middle School in honor of Acton educators Pat McKenzie and Elmer Smith.
Acton Town Hall faces demolition; saved by local group who later formed Heritage Acton.

A night view of the newly built Acton High School on Cedar Road — 1977 Photo Credit: Acton High School / Trish Foster Somerville Collection

1992: New Acton Fire Station opened at south-east corner of Queen Street and Churchill Road South.

Programme for the opening of the new Fire Station on Churchill Road South — 1992 Photo Credit: Wayne Kelley Collection

1996: M.Z. Bennett Public School and McKenzie-Smith Middle School amalgamated to form McKenzie-Smith Bennett Public School.

1998: New Community Centre & Arena opened on Queen Street East.
Beardmore tannery demolished following vandalism and arson.

2007: New band shell built in Prospect Park by Rotary Club.
Dufferin Community Centre opened in Prospect Park.
Three Musketeers opened behind Acton Community Centre & Arena in honor of three young boys who lost their lives.

2015: Community Centre & Arena received expansions.
The Three Musketeers Skate Park demolished and rebuilt.

2016: Drill Shed in Prospect Park renovated and restored. Old Band shell is also restored.

2017: Canada celebrates Canada 150. Acton and the rest of Halton Hills participated in Most Patriotic Town Flag Challenge. Royal Canadian Snow Birds flew over Prospect Park in honor of the achievement.